SOAR Specialist - Yonkers,NY

JOB TITLE:                     SOAR Specialist
DEPARTMENT:               Adult Housing & Services
FLSA:                              Non-Exempt
LOCATION:                    Yonkers,NY
REPORTS TO:                Program Coordinator/Director 

SALARY:                        $60,000.00 to $ 65,000.00

SUMMARY:

The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) model focuses on helping
individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have serious mental illness, medical impairment
and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder apply for Social Security disability benefits. The SOAR
Specialist must be able to work in the community and meet individuals experiencing homelessness where
they are, including places not meant for habitation such as abandoned houses, under the bridge, etc. This
position requires at least 2 years of experience working directly with individuals experiencing
homelessness who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder; evidence of
ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance abuse, and/or
homelessness; an ability to work in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments; and a valid
state driver’s license with a clean driving record. SOAR training is a plus. The position requires someone
who is organized and has an ability to prioritize tasks quickly. The SOAR Specialist will also attend any
trainings/certifications as required by the state.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with referral sources and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings,
• outreach and referrals.
• Conduct and complete interviews with individuals to gather information to complete SSI/SSDI
• applications. Gather medical records and other information to complete SSI/SSDI applications.
•  Write SOAR Medical Summary Reports for individual applications.
•  Accompany individuals to appointments at the Social Security Administration office.
•  Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrists, and other specialists to obtain evidence for the
• application.
• Builds and maintains a good rapport with consumers through engagement and good
• communication skills.
• Acts as a liaison and advocates between consumers and a variety of organizations and services,
• such as medical care, social services agencies, homeless court, and disability benefits.
• Develops and cultivates relationships with outside agencies, acts as liaison for consumer care
• referrals.
• Maintains all required documentation and required reports on each consumer served to ensure
• coordinated consumer services and to document program effectiveness.
• Maintains agency and consumer confidentiality at all times.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

 Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in social work or related field preferred, with at least two years ofexperience working directly with individuals experiencing homelessness.Experience with providing outreach and successful engagement to a diverse population and conducting interviews in non-traditional settings.Strong computer, presentation, written and verbal communication skills required.Ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy and brevity.Superior organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet frequent deadlines.Ability to maintain professional boundaries and engagement skills with a challenging population and in non-traditional work conditions. Evidence of ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness. Familiarity with Social Security Administration’s Listings of Impairments. Knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology and ability to write using such terminology

Possible Work Conditions:

• Frequent travel by foot, car or other means appropriate to making contact with population.
• Must be able to adjust to the environment of the target population (streets, shelters,
• encampments).
•  Extensive work on computer.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.

AGENCY PROFILE & EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS:
Westhab is the premier organization of our kind in our region, providing housing and supportive services
for more than 10,000 of the most vulnerable members of our community each year. We are staffed by an
extraordinary group of hard working professionals that are fully committed to our mission - Building
Communities. Changing Lives. Working at Westhab is not easy. Our expectations for all staff are high.
We believe that the people and the communities that we have the privilege to serve deserve our very best
every day. We are results-driven organization that focuses on empowerment and impact. If you want to
apply for this opportunity, it should only be because you feel ready for the challenges and expectations
that come with joining this kind of team. (EOE)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA):

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures safe and healthful working conditions to workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.  Westhab complies with all applicable OSHA standards, rules and regulations in addition to keeping our workplaces free of serious recognized hazards.